Our Elders
Wayne Langholff
Chair
Wayne has trusted in the Lord since 1969. He joined the church in March 1992. He has been an Elder, is an adult teacher, Small Group leader and teaches teens as a Sr. High leader. He has been a Deacon, and has served on the Missions Team, visitation team, Easter Egg-Stravaganza, Men’s Breakfast, and Car Wash.
Bruce Emerson
Bruce has been a believer since 1973 and a member since November 1993. He has served as a Deacon, Elder, and Adult Sunday school teacher. Other ministries include working with the Stockade ministry and leading several small groups. More recently, he served on the Pastoral Search Committee for Senior Pastor. At a previous church, he served in CE Board, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher (children and adults), leaders of a small group, Elder, interim assistant pastor (5 months), launched the men’s retreat, did counseling for couples and individuals. Involved in campus ministries at Virginia Tech as a student and at Rutgers as a layperson with Navigators
Andy Kobayashi
Andy has been a believer since 1983 and a member of First Baptist since March 2001. He has been married to Patricia since 1996 and has two daughters, Amelia & Andrea. In the past, he has served as an Elder, Trustee, Adult Sunday School teacher and in various outreach ministries (Easter EGG-Stravaganza, parades, Men’s Soccer ministry). He is currently serving as a Small Group leader and with the worship ministry as a video tech. He is also a member of the Gideons International.
Joe Lai
Joe has been a believer since 1997 and a member since October 2001. He is currently the co-leader of the Small Group ministry, leader of Small Groups, discipling a men’s group, and the lead for the Live Stream Tech Team. He has served as Elder, Adult Sunday School teacher, leader of the Men’s Retreat, and most recently, the 2021 Chair of the Pastoral Search Committee for Senior Pastor.
Ed O'Connor
Ed has been a believer since 2002 and a member since March 2005. He serves with audio and video teams during the worship services. Outside the church, he helps the “Wheels of Ezekiel” Chapter of Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) where he served previously as chaplain and currently serves as an officer.
Ashok Paul
Born into a Syrian Christian family in India, Ashok became a born-again believer in 1992 when he lived in the UK as a graduate student. During his years there, he attended the Westminster Chapel in London and actively participated in the church's street evangelism program. When he moved with his family to the US in 2004, he started attending FBCM and became a member soon afterwards. He has led a Bible Study group from his home for over 10 years and has served on the Missions Board. Ashok has been working in American Express for the last 25 years. Currently, he is the Chief Compliance Officer of one of their global divisions and is involved in a Christian network in his company. He was one of the corporate leaders invited to speak to university students in the annual national conference of "Believers in Business." An avid musician, Ashok composes gospel songs and has sung in churches both in the US and abroad.
Dave Spatz
When Dave was twelve years old, he first understood that he needed to be saved after a sermon at his church in PA. He and Jennifer joined First Baptist when they moved to NJ in August 1994. He was nominated to the Trustee Board in 1995 and has served on the Trustee Board / Finance committee ever since. He is currently serving his first term on the Elder Board. He has taught Adult Sunday School and helped with the Men’s Breakfast. He has been involved with VBS, helping to make many of the large props (roller coaster, a working fountain and Noah’s Ark). He has been a ranger and chief ranger for Stockade. He also participates in the worship ministry, singing with, first the choir, and then the worship team.
Tommy Waters
Tommy began walking with Christ in 2001 and has been a member since May 2010. He has been involved in various ministries of the church. This year, he and his wife, Karen, lead a training and workshop on Spiritual Enrichment Day, focusing on how to share our faith. He is also an Adult Sunday School teacher. He serves as a missionary with Cru sharing his faith and discipling the next generation of leaders on college campuses in New Jersey.